It’s just a humorous spoof.
The concept of "live now AND later" seems to get lost in the message by many.
I miss a lot of things, but close to the top is my cube. I loved the uniform shade of gray that bordered my vision on all sides. The bland consistency made it easier for me to focus on my monitor. That’s where the real action in life is.
I suppose it can viewed as a minimal existence but another angle is doing and spending on things that actually make you happy/fulfilled. So, the nuts and bolts are really about understanding what makes you happy/fulfilled and getting value out of the dollars you spend trying to achieve it.
MMM is about striving towards living an efficient, yet still enjoyable life versus a mindless consumer spend. If someone is happy with inexpensive hobbies like spending most of his time going down the river to go fishing or helping someone fix their car or volunteering at your kid's school, that's not a bad thing. If buying an item is going to make your life that much more happy or efficient, that's a great idea.
I like the overall MMM philosophy but I freely admit I enjoy a lot of things that are likely somewhat wasteful, not efficient, etc. I enjoy going on cruises, going to the odd hockey game, using a car to get around, etc. But I do question whether some of my spends were really worth it. Was it worth spending 100 of my hard earned dollars to see my hapless team get blown out and did it make my life that much more enjoyable for 3 hours? Evaluating every single spend would drive someone mad but I think there's value in evaluating what you're getting out of your triple digit spends.
The reason I mentioned I was talking about the people on the forums is because I agree with you on what it's supposed to be about., spending money on those things that make you happy, not just because other people spend money on that stuff.
If you read the forums, however, a large percentage of people have taken it well beyond that message and moved towards "spending money is bad, and if you don't NEED to spend the money on something then you're an idiot for doing so". The more moderate people are posting more and more these days (those who don't have that same aversion to ALL spending), but the overall gist there is still one of "if I don't think it's necessary spending, you shouldn't spend money on it either or you're a spendypants fool and why are you even here on these forums anyway!"
The reason I mentioned I was talking about the people on the forums is because I agree with you on what it's supposed to be about., spending money on those things that make you happy, not just because other people spend money on that stuff.
If you read the forums, however, a large percentage of people have taken it well beyond that message and moved towards "spending money is bad, and if you don't NEED to spend the money on something then you're an idiot for doing so". The more moderate people are posting more and more these days (those who don't have that same aversion to ALL spending), but the overall gist there is still one of "if I don't think it's necessary spending, you shouldn't spend money on it either or you're a spendypants fool and why are you even here on these forums anyway!"
For your own sanity, stop supporting the Leafs!I enjoy ... going to the odd hockey game ... [but] was it worth spending 100 of my hard earned dollars to see my hapless team get blown out and did it make my life that much more enjoyable for 3 hours?
Yup, I understand. Partly why I couldn't get into following the MMM forums; herd mentality.
Similar "at all costs" type story: there's a blogger that paid off his $250k mortgage in 3 years during his late 20's. He did it by working 80-100hrs a week (main job and side jobs), living in upstairs and renting the basement, eating meals of kraft dinner and veg, didn't really go out/date, didn't travel except for a short vacation by bus, etc. He's let off the gas a bit now in his 30's now that he's paid off his mortgage and obviously has choices without a mortgage hanging over him. But it was basically at the cost of basically wasting what should have been some of the best years of his life. I dunno, I suppose it's really up to him to say whether it was worth it or not.
I just kind of find it a bit ridiculous that he seems to have parlayed his notoriety into people thinking he's a personal finance expert now.
For your own sanity, stop supporting the Leafs!
Hmm, I spent my late 20s and into my early 30s working a series of very demanding jobs, going to business school nights and weekends, and earning a cfa charter. Did I waste those years?
Well, as I commented, it would be for you to look back and determine if the sacrifices you made for your cfa designation was worth it.
People make choices and need to sleep in the beds they've made but also reap the rewards they sow. I just find it a bit disingenuous for anyone to whine about the effort and side effects when they purposely made decisions to support their path of choice.
Well, as I commented, it would be for you to look back and determine if the sacrifices you made for your cfa designation was worth it.
People make choices and need to sleep in the beds they've made but also reap the rewards they sow. I just find it a bit disingenuous for anyone to whine about the effort and side effects when they purposely made decisions to support their path of choice.